# gamble

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɡæm.bəl/ · frequency rank #9,752

## Definitions
1. A bet or wager.
2. A significant risk, undertaken with a potential gain.
3. A risky venture.

## Etymology
From earlier gamel, from Middle English *gamlen, *gamelen, variant of Middle English gamenen, from Old English gæmnian, gamnian, gamenian (“to joke; play”), related to Old English gamen (“joy; mirth; pleasure; entertainment; pastime; sport; game”), equivalent to game + -le. Compare Old Danish gammel, Middle High German gamel (“pleasure; fun”). More at game.

## Easily confused with
- **game** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gamble-vs-game)
- **Gayle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gamble-vs-gayle)
- **gobble** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gamble-vs-gobble)
- **gambler** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gamble-vs-gambler)
- **grumble** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gamble-vs-grumble)
- **gale** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gale-vs-gamble)
- **Gabe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gabe-vs-gamble)
- **gable** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gable-vs-gamble)
- **gambit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gambit-vs-gamble)
- **Gambia** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gambia-vs-gamble)
- **gaggle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gaggle-vs-gamble)

## Common misspellings (9)
`agmble`, `gabmle`, `gambble`, `gambel`, `gamblle`, `gamlbe`, `gammble`, `ggamble`, `gmable`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/gamble